Boeing to buy KLX Inc. in $4.25 billion deal

Boeing has entered a definitive agreement to acquire KLX Inc. The agreement comprises an all-cash transaction for $63 per share and the assumption of approximately $1.0 billion of net debt, totalling $4.25 billion.

Boeing's acquisition of KLX Inc. will include KLX Inc.'s Aerospace Solutions Group, and is conditional upon the successful divestment and separation of KLX Inc.'s Energy Services Group.

KLX Inc. is an independent provider of aviation parts and services in the aerospace industry. Its capabilities include global parts distribution and supply chain services for aerospace and defence industries worldwide. KLX Inc. will be part of Boeing Global Services and fully integrated with Boeing’s subsidiary Aviall, a provider of aircraft parts, supplies, chemicals, tools and materials.

One stop shop

"This acquisition is the next step in our services growth strategy, with a clear opportunity to profitably grow our business and better serve our customers in a $2.6 trillion, 10-year services market," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Global Services.

"By combining the talent and product offerings of Aviall and KLX Inc., we will provide a one-stop-shop that will benefit our supply chain and our various customers in a meaningful way."

Amin Khoury, KLX Chairman and CEO, commented: "Our customers have long desired a supplier who could offer essentially 100% of their requirements for fasteners, consumables and expendables. The combination of Aviall and KLX Aerospace facilitates the broadest scope of parts and products to support all customer fleet types for the commercial, military and defence and business and general aviation markets.

“This business combination will enable us to deliver industry-leading value-added service solutions for our customers, and outstanding growth opportunities for our suppliers."

Impact on revenue

KLX Inc.'s Aerospace Solutions Group FY2017 revenue was $1.4 billion. Boeing expects the acquisition to have a neutral earnings impact through 2019 and accretion thereafter, with annual cost savings growing to approximately $70 million by 2021 and further improvements realised over time. The transaction will be financed primarily with cash on hand, supplemented with debt.

The completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory clearance and the approval by a majority of KLX Inc. shareholders. The sale is expected to close by Q3 2018.